Presider’s Page for 12 May (Fourth Sunday of Easter)

Songs
The Lord’s My Shepherd/ ’Sé an Tiarna M’Aoire ; Jesus Christ is Risen Today; Take and Eat; Bring Flowers of the Rarest/Regina Coeli.

Opening Comment
On the fourth Sunday of Easter each year, we honour the Risen Lord as our Good Shepherd. We pray for vocations to priesthood and Religious life: we pray that God will give the Church shepherds for today and tomorrow.

Penitential Rite
Supported and sustained by our caring shepherd, let us call to mind our need of divine forgiveness: (pause)
Lord Jesus, you have shown us the way to the Father: Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you have given us the consolation of the truth: Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd, leading us into everlasting life: Lord, have mercy.

Alternative Opening Prayer
Safe in your hand, O God,
is the flock you shepherd
through Jesus your Son.

Lead us always to the living waters
where you promise respite and refreshment,
that we may be counted among those
who know and follow you.

We ask this through Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.

Introduction to the Scripture Readings
 Acts 13: 14, 43-52  Paul and Barnabas visit Antioch, where their message is received with joy by the Gentiles.
Apocalypse 7: 9, 14-17 John’s vision is of people persecuted for their faith being rewarded in heaven.
John 10: 27-30 Jesus is the shepherd whose voice the sheep listen to.

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) Let us bring our prayers to the shepherd who cares for all the flock:

1. That those who lead the Church may follow the example of Christ, the good shepherd (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
2. That young people may serve God’s people — in priesthood and religious life (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
3. That believers who face persecution today may have courage (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
4. That Christians, Jews and Muslims may support each other in friendship (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
5. That people suffering from depression may move from Darkness into Light (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
6. That those in any kind of need may have the tender support of their friends (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.

The presider prays for the dead. For our friends who have died, especially….. that they may be given a place before the Throne of Glory (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) O God, your loving care brings us safe through the trials of life, hear the prayers we make through Christ our Lord. Amen

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Lord God,
make the paschal mystery our constant joy:
may it continue within us the work of redemption
and be the cause of our unending delight.
Grant this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.

PREFACE (Easter III)
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
that we should always sing your glory, Lord;
but we praise you with greater joy than ever
in this Easter season
when Christ became our paschal sacrifice.

He continues to offer himself for us,
to plead our cause before your throne.
Christ is the victim who dies no more,
the Lamb, once slain, who lives for ever.

Therefore, the universe resounds with Easter joy,
and the choirs of angels sing the endless hymn of your glory: HOLY HOLY HOLY

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER I (The Roman Canon)

All-merciful Father,
we come before you with praise and thanksgiving
through Jesus Christ your Son.
Through him we ask you to accept and bless + these gifts
we offer you in sacrifice.
We offer them for your holy catholic Church:
watch over it, Lord, and guide it,
grant it peace and unity throughout the world.
We offer them for Francis our Pope,
for N. our Bishop,
and for all who hold and teach the catholic faith
that comes to us from the apostles.

We pray in communion with the whole Church,
with those whose memory we now honour:
especially with Mary,
the glorious and ever-virgin mother of Jesus Christ, our Lord and God,
with Joseph, her husband,
the apostles and martyrs,
Peter and Paul, Andrew,
[James, John,
Thomas, James, Philip,
Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon and Jude;
with Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus,
Cornelius, Cyprian, Lawrence, Chrysogonus,
John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian,]
and with all the saints.
By their merits and prayers
grant us your constant help and protection.

Lord, accept this offering from your whole family.
Grant us your peace in this life,
save us from final damnation,
and count us among those you have chosen.

Bless and approve our offering,
make it acceptable to you,
an offering in spirit and in truth:
let it become for us
the body and blood of your beloved Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ.

The day before he suffered
he took bread in his sacred hands,
and looking up to heaven
to you, his almighty Father,
he gave you thanks and praise;
he broke the bread,
gave it to his disciples, and said:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT IT:
THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.

When supper was ended, he took the cup;
again he gave you thanks and praise,
gave the cup to his disciples, and said:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT:
THIS IS THE CUP OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT.
IT WILL BE SHED FOR YOU AND FOR ALL,
SO THAT SINS MAY BE FORGIVEN.
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.

The mystery of faith

And so, Lord God,
we celebrate the memory of Christ, your Son:
we, your holy people and your ministers,
call to mind his passion,
his resurrection from the dead,
and his ascension into glory;
and from the many gifts you have given us
we offer to you, God of glory and majesty,
this holy and perfect sacrifice,
the bread of life and the cup of eternal salvation.

Look with favour on these offerings
and accept them as once you accepted
the gifts of your just servant Abel,
the sacrifice of Abraham, our father in faith,
and the bread and wine offered by your priest Melchizedek.

Almighty God,
command that your angel carry this sacrifice
to your altar in heaven.
Then, as we receive from this altar
the sacred body and blood of your Son,
let us be filled with every grace and blessing.

Remember, Lord, your servants who have died
and have gone before us marked with the sign of faith,
especially those for whom we now pray [N. and N.].
Grant them and all who sleep in Christ
a haven of light and peace.

For ourselves, too,
sinners who trust in your mercy and love,
we ask some share in the fellowship of your apostles and martyrs,
with John the Baptist, Stephen, Matthias, Barnabas,
[Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus, Peter,
Felicity, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy,
Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia,]
and all your saints.
Welcome us into their company,
not considering what we deserve,
but freely granting us your pardon.

Through Christ our Lord you give us all these gifts,
you fill them with life and goodness,
you bless them and make them holy.

Through him, with him, in him….

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Like a good shepherd, O God,
keep watch over those
you have redeemed by the blood of your Son,
and lead them as your flock into heavenly pastures.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

SOLEMN BLESSING (Easter Season)
May the God who has redeemed you and made you adopted children
through the resurrection of his only Son
bless you and fill you with joy.
R. Amen.
May the God who has bestowed on you
the gifts of redemption and lasting freedom
make you heirs of eternal life.
R. Amen.
May the God who joined you to Christ’s resurrection
by faith and baptism
lead you to live justly
and so bring you to your home in heaven.
R. Amen.